02 August 2017

Join the GWCT shoot sweepstake and help us invest in your countryside

As the 2017/18 season approaches, the UK's leading game research charity is urging shoots around the country to help raise funds by running a shoot sweepstake. The money raised is an essential contribution to funding vital research into wildlife conservation and to demonstrate good game management is good for the countryside.

The Shoot Sweepstake Initiative has been run by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) since 2002. The GWCT's vital research programmes are dedicated to preserving the British countryside for future generations. Areas where sweepstakes income to GWCT has made a difference include:

Woodcock Watch: Income from sweepstakes allows the Trust's researchers to monitor the epic migration of woodcock from the UK. Satellite tagging has uncovered a wealth of information about this elusive bird. In future, the GWCT aims to focus on research into resident woodcock and their decline.

Predator Control: GWCT fundraising pays for monitoring and equipment for the Trust's predation team, producing solid, evidence-led and grounded science that will influence policy for years to come. No other organisation produces the detailed research that GWCT can.

Game Management: Since the 1930s, the Trust has been investigating the causes of gamebird decline around the UK, and developing methods to help arrest and reverse it. Sweepstakes help pay for the GWCT's peer-reviewed scientific research projects.

Policy, Communications and Advisory: The GWCT works tirelessly to brief government, farmers, landowners and media on our research, and ensure they receive the full facts about conservation.

Individual shoots can help contribute to the GWCT's efforts by holding a sweepstake on shoot days, with half the proceeds going to the winner and the other half to GWCT. For every £100 raised, shoots will receive a bottle of Gordon's Sloe Gin.

GWCT regional organiser Max Kendry said, "We have some fantastic support from a lot of shoots all over the country but there are many more who could help to make an investment in the future.”

The GWCT sweepstake package contains everything necessary to help run a successful shoot day such as peg markers, shoot cards, cartridge collection bags, a wall chart and a copy of The Code of Good Shooting Practice. The sweepstake package features striking and celebrated designs created by renowned wildlife artist Owen Williams, including his wonderful illustrations of woodcock, pheasant, duck and wild grey partridge. The package is available completely free from the GWCT.

Max Kendry added, “The great thing about sweepstakes is that anyone - from a small DIY shoot to a larger commercial shoot - can contribute, and have a bit of fun on a shoot day at the same time.”

The GWCT shoot sweepstake is a simple and effective way of contributing to the preservation of British wildlife and game species. Sweepstakes packs can be ordered from Heather Acors at GWCT, Burgate Manor, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6 1EF, by email at hacors@gwct.org.uk, or by phone on 01425 651010. Scottish sweepstakes packs can be ordered from Irene Johnston at GWCT Scotland, Unit 95, Perth Airport, Perthshire, PH2 6PL, by email at ijohnston@gwct.org.uk, or by phone on 01738 551511.

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust – providing research-led conservation for a thriving countryside. The GWCT is an independent wildlife conservation charity which has carried out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife since the 1930s. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats. We employ 22 post-doctoral scientists and 50 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming, fish and statistics. We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from Government and private bodies. The Trust is also responsible for a number of Government Biodiversity Action Plan species and is lead partner for grey partridge and joint lead partner for brown hare and black grouse.

ISDN radio broadcast line - at our Fordingbridge HQ we have an ISDN radio broadcast line, allowing us to conduct interviews remotely.

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